The supernatural thriller by Singaporean writer-director Kelvin Tong won the gong for Best Film.

Tong, 36, received his trophy from guest of honour American actor Peter Fonda and said: 'I thank the film festival. This is where I began and this is a crucial point in my career.'

His film, starring Hong Kong actors Ekin Cheng and Shawn Yue, beat contenders Royston Tan's getai melodrama 12 Lotus, Han Yew Kwang's drama 18 Grams Of Love, Cheng Ding An's football flick Kallang Roar The Movie, Tony Kern's documentary A Month Of Hungry Ghosts and experimental omnibus feature Lucky7 by seven local directors including Sun Koh and Ho Tzu Nyen.

Tong had another reason to celebrate: Swimming Lesson, which he wrote and produced was the big winner in the short films competition.

The short about an over-protective mother recalling her past was named best film and Kat Goh, a veteran of television production, walked away with the best director accolade.

The prizes were part of the 22nd Singapore International Film Festival's Silver Screen Awards given out at the Film Garde cineplex at Iluma.

But the other nominees, shortlisted from 20 entries the organisers received, also won awards. Royston Tan won the best director prize for 12 Lotus; Sherman Ong earned the best screenplay award for Hashi, about the lives of three Japanese women; and comedian Mark Lee's role as a marketer of health supplements in Money No Enough 2 was hailed as the best performance. Best cinematography went to Lucky7.

The Singapore Film Awards jury comprised TheatreWorks' artistic director Ong Keng Sen, Chinese-American actor Russell Wong and The Bangkok Post's film critic Kong Rithdee.

Read the full story in Saturday's edition of The Straits Times.